The original lyrics of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" painted a rather bleak picture before it was altered at the request of Judy Garland and later Frank Sinatra to its now more upbeat tone. The first draft went like this:
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last, Next year we may all be living in the past Have yourself a merry little Christmas, pop that champagne cork, Next year we will all be living in New York.No good times like the olden days, happy golden days of yore, Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more.
But at least we all will be together, if the Fates allow, From now on we'll have to muddle through somehow. So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
How do you like them apples, Charlie Brown?